VaTech dismisses Hysier Miller amid sports betting scandal

In recent years, sports betting has permeated college sports, drawing the attention of regulators, the NCAA and even the FBI. The latest gambling-related scandal centers around Temple basketball and now specifically Hysier Miller, who has been kicked off the Virginia Tech team after transferring there from Temple earlier this year. According to a report from 247Sports that cited an unspecified source, the FBI found evidence that Miller allegedly bet on Temple men's basketball games using an account that was associated with his name. 

This case adds to a growing list of NCAA betting scandals that raise questions about the impact of legalized sports betting on college athletes and the integrity of college sports. 

UPDATE - November 25, 2024:

ESPN has reported that Miller specifically is being investigated for betting on his own games and manipulating the outcome of games in which he played.

Miller's attorney responded to ESPN in a statement: "Hysier Miller has overcome more adversity in his 22 years than most people face in their lifetime. He will meet and overcome whatever obstacles lay ahead."

Temple University president Jason Wingard acknowledged the report in a letter to students and faculty last Thursday: “I have been made aware of media reports about a former Temple basketball student-athlete, detailing a federal investigation into sports wagering activities… While it is disappointing to see Temple mentioned in this context, we know that it is not representative of our athletics program.”

Background of Temple men’s basketball betting scandal

Sports Illustrated initially reported on the probe into Temple basketball, which began with a 28-point loss to the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) in March of 2024. U.S. Integrity, a watchdog firm, flagged unusual betting patterns, citing a sudden surge in bets favoring UAB shortly before the game. When betting lines moved from UAB as a 1.5-point favorite to an eight-point favorite, it triggered scrutiny from the NCAA and other bodies. Temple ended up losing the game by 28 points, 100-72. The FBI joined the investigation and reportedly uncovered evidence linking Miller to betting activities on Temple games, which ultimately led to his dismissal from Virginia Tech.

Temple has since emphasized that no further suspensions or disciplinary actions are anticipated, and there is no indication that other team members were involved in gambling activities. Nevertheless, the case underscores the heightened vulnerability of college athletics to betting scandals in the age of widespread sports wagering.

Temple University also recently announced that two individuals in its men’s basketball program – senior guard Lynn Greer III and assistant coach Chris Clark – would miss the first nine games of the 2024-25 season due to unrelated NCAA violations. Greer’s penalty traces back to his time at Saint Joseph's, while Clark's suspension is for providing impermissible benefits to players. Although unrelated to Miller’s dismissal, the announcement coincided with the gambling investigation.

Hysier Miller’s transfer to Virginia Tech, dismissal from team

After leading Temple in scoring, Miller transferred to Virginia Tech in the spring of 2024, seemingly leaving the controversy behind him. However, the FBI investigation into betting activities at Temple soon brought him back under scrutiny. 247Sports’ sources reported that FBI investigators found mobile phone data and other evidence indicating that Miller had wagered on Temple games through a betting account associated with his name. In October, Virginia Tech announced Miller’s permanent dismissal due to these findings, clarifying that his release was a consequence of “circumstances prior to his enrollment.”

Although Virginia Tech did not disclose specific details, it is believed that new information about Miller’s involvement in betting activities came to light only recently. His departure from Virginia Tech highlights the challenges universities face in ensuring compliance and maintaining integrity as the risks associated with sports betting continue to grow.

Other sports betting scandals and controversies in NCAA college sports 

Miller’s case is far from isolated. In fact, it is just the latest news in a troubling trend of betting-related controversies that have surfaced in college sports in recent years. 

1. Notre Dame Men’s Swimming Suspension The Notre Dame men’s swim team received a one-year suspension after it was revealed that several team members had participated in illegal betting activities. Investigators found that some swimmers had set up their own betting pool to wager on personal and team results, in clear violation of NCAA rules. Notre Dame’s administration stated that suspending the entire team would allow for a cultural reset within the program.
   
   

2. Alabama Baseball Coach Fired In spring 2023, Alabama baseball head coach Brad Bohannon was dismissed after it was discovered that he provided insider information to a bettor before a game against LSU. This information led to a high-stakes bet being placed against Alabama. Although the NCAA penalized Bohannon, no players were implicated in the case.

   

   
   
   

3. Iowa and Iowa State Football Scandal In early 2023, over two dozen players from Iowa and Iowa State faced NCAA penalties for illegal betting. Some athletes used geofencing and fake accounts to place bets on their phones near campus, and others used third-party credit cards to conceal their activity. This scandal prompted discussions on monitoring systems and how athletic programs can enforce NCAA betting policies more effectively.
   
   

4. Kayshon Boutte at LSU Kayshon Boutte, an LSU football player, was arrested in early 2024 for allegedly placing thousands of bets, including some on LSU games. Although the charges were eventually dropped, the incident raised concerns about the scope of sports betting among student-athletes.

Each of these cases underscores the challenges universities and regulatory bodies face as sports betting becomes increasingly accessible.

Sources:

247sports

Sports Illustrated